AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Delaware’s state primary

Delaware's Democratic senator, representative, and attorney general will face voters in a primary election on Tuesday. Along with their reelection bids, they will also select nominees for the state Legislature and an open seat for state treasurer.

The primaries serve as a preview for the November general election, where Republicans aim to disrupt the Democratic dominance in the state's statewide offices, particularly in the context of a midterm election cycle that often harms the president's party.

In the U.S. Senate race, Democratic incumbent Chris Coons will compete against three primary opponents: University of Delaware history professor Jeff Appelhans, naval architect Mary Louve, and former business executive Eric Hansen (now running as a Democrat). Hansen and Louve have not filed campaign fundraising reports for this cycle.

On the Republican side, Michael Katz and John Shulli are contending for the nomination, with Katz raising about $159,000 compared to Shulli's $118,000. Democratic Rep. Sarah McBride faces only one challenger in her primary bid for her second term in the U.S. House, while Republican David Graham is unopposed in the treasurer race.

Control of the U.S. Senate and House is likely to remain firmly in Democratic hands, as Delaware has consistently voted Democratic in recent elections. However, some competitive races could determine the outcome, with about half of the state's 21 state Senate seats and all 41 state House seats up for grabs in 2026.